The Yankees have requested release waivers on infielder/outfielder Dustin Ackley, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. He’s likely to clear and become a free agent, though he won’t technically do so until next week.
Ackley, 29 in February, was acquired by the Yankees in the summer of 2015 and hit well in small sample down the stretch that year. However, he hit just .148/.243/.148 in 70 plate appearances this year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. He was projected to make $3.2MM in arbitration this offseason, and coming off another year of disappointing production and a major surgery, Ackley’s removal from the roster is hardly a surprise.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 draft, Ackley was considered the best college bat in his draft class that season and rated as one of the game’s top prospects before debuting in 2011. His first season in the Majors with the Mariners showed a great deal of promise, as he slashed a very strong .273/.348/.417 in 376 plate appearances while calling the pitcher-friendly Safeco Field home. However, Ackley’s offensive production unexpectedly cratered the following season, and he was never able to get back on track. He’s spent time as a second baseman, outfielder and first baseman in the Majors but has batted just .235/.296/.358 in nearly 2000 plate appearances since that impressive rookie campaign.
Former No. 2 overall pick…welcome to the Orioles Dustin Ackley. This waiver wire pickup has Dan Duquette written all over it.
Why would they claim a 3.2m contract when they can sign him for way less when he’s a FA
Terrific example why prospects–even highly rated ones–don’t always turn into stars.
Mariners suck at draft picks
No Jack Zurenscik sucks at draft picks. And actually Kyle Seager has turned out good. James Paxton has been dominate when healthy, Walker needs to have a full healthy season with the new mechanics. But other than that, he sucked at drafting.
More bad luck than anything. Hultzen could have been great and Ackley’s demise still doesn’t make sense
Well since he was a consensus can’t miss #2 pick. You must be right they should have never taken him. It is all their fault he failed because no other high draft pick in the history of the MLB has failed. I wonder if we could go back and find a draft pick the Tribe missed on or two?
No way!
We must be looking at different teams.
We picked Jeff Clement and he is one of the best catchers in the game.
Danny Hultzen is a future HOFer and DJ Peterson has made countless All-Star games.
Alex Jackson could be traded for Mike Trout.
Yeah Griffey and ARod were two of the worst players to ever step on a field.
To be fair, the 2009 draft didn’t produce much in the first round. 24 teams passed on Mike Trout.
and i thank those 24 teams
To be honest (at that time) they were all better than Trout
There is also the fact that Jr is the 1st #1 pick to ever make the HOF. Top draft picks are tough they fail. Seattle’s last 2 GMs have sucked. Bavasi and Z. Bad trades and picks. Now we have Dipoto making trades like the one today that is a head scratcher. His draft pick looks good but some of his trades are odd. We shall see when the season chimes around.
It’s a couple less than 24 teams – a couple teams picked twice before Trout.. As a matter of fact, the Angels actually picked 24th and 25th in that draft, and picked Grichuk ahead of Trout.
The Angels should claim him
Agreed, Dustin being a guy that Billy evaluated when he was at the Yankees. Always looking for that next reverse Chone Figgins situation too.
Angels here’s your starting 2B next year
I say m’s sign him again. Sorry I’m a little biased in the situation as I followed him as a college player and was stoked when we drafted him.. Dude’s got talent, but has suffered through injury issues and lack of confidence. He was brought up too soon by Jack Z. If Ackley is given the right situation and able to build back confidence then really there’s nothing stopping him from being the next Zobrist.
The next Ben Zobrist? World series MVP??? Dustin Ackley has done nothing to this point to even warrant his name being uttered in the same breath as Ben Zobrist. Come on man….
The Padres can take him. Switching to the NL might do him good.